by Char Brooks, J.D., Community Garden Facilitator and Attorney

One of the great things about World Pancreatic Cancer Day is it raises the awareness about this often  fatal disease. Of all the cancers that are now known, pancreatic cancer has the lowest rate of survival. In addition, according to a worldwide survey 60% of people know very little about pancreatic cancer.

The pancreas helps the body break down food. Pancreatic cancer develops when abnormal cells grow rapidly. This results in the growth of abnormal tissue which is also known as a  tumor. Known as the silent killer, pancreatic cancer in its early stages often has no symptoms at all.  

Held on November 13, 2015, World Pancreatic Cancer Day drew attention to the current state of this deadly disease, it’s symptoms, and why we need more research so that they are ways to detect this cancer earlier.   

To learn more about pancreatic cancer, it’s symptoms, and the need for funding, click here.

Char Brooks is a Community Garden Facilitator and Attorney at Elder Law of Michigan, and has been a member of the ELM team since August 2012.

Char holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Michigan State University, and graduated with her Juris Doctor in 1980 from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Before joining the Elder Law of Michigan team, she served as an Attorney with Michigan Hospital Association representing 140 hospitals throughout the state of Michigan in unemployment compensation cases.

As a Community Garden Facilitator, Char teaches Gardening with Older Adults for Health and Nutrition which helps seniors increase their fruits, vegetables and exercise while spending less money on products.   As an Attorney, Char has written blog posts and created legal brochures on matters affecting Michigan Seniors.